Bursting and separating apparatus for continuous forms

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for automatically, continuously bursting and separating individual items at relatively high speed from a continuous series of items such, for example, as manifolded document forms. The invention employs one or more oppositely disposed, substantially rigid, yet deformable members disposed in confronting arrangement in the path of the items to be separated. The deformable members are movable into face contact with the items disposed therebetween so that the items are stretched tautly between the confronting deformable members causing the leading item to be burst apart and separated from the adjoining trailing items. Means adjacent to the deformable members and in the pathway of the items cause the burst item to be rapidly discharged out of the path of the advancing items and into a stacking pocket or hopper or onto a shingling table.

I [45 Feb.26,- 1974 22 Filed:

[ BURSTING AND SEPARATING .APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS FORMS [75]Inventors: Richard H. Colwill, Victor; William E. Dewey, Pittsford; HansLochmann Vanbennekom, Rochester; William H. Mowry, Jr., lonia, all ofNY.

[73] Assignee: Burroughs Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

Dec. 22, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 210,737

[52] US. Cl 225/93, 225/101, 225/105 [51] Int. Cl....-. B26f 3/02, B65h35/10 [58] Field of Search ...l.. 225/101, 100, 106, 105, 93 v [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,618,336 v 11/1952 2 Davidson225/100 X 2,742,087 4/1956 Smith et a1 225/101 3,133,684 5/1964Wiltshire et al. .(225/101 838,930 12/1906 Abel ....225/105 2,355,6908/1944 Zent 225/100 2,370,465 Higby 225 105 x FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 423,443 .4/1967 Switzerland 225/101 I PrimaryExaminer-Frank T. Yost Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carl Fissell, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for automatically, continuously bursting andseparating individual items at relatively high speed from a continuousseries of items such, for example, as

manifolded document forms. The invention employs one or more oppositelydisposed, substantially rigid, yet deformable members disposed inconfronting arrangement in the path of the items to be separated. Thedeformable members are movable into face contact with the items disposedtherebetween so that the items are stretched tautly between theconfronting deformable members causing the leading item to be burstapart and separated from the adjoining trailing items. Means adjacent tothe deformable members 17 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures mzman m 3.194.228

SHEU 1 0F 6 INVENTORS. RICHARD H. COLWIU. WILLIAM E, DEWEY HANS LOCKMANNVAN BENNEKOM WILLIAM H; MOWR Y JR.

AGENT PAIENI FEBZBiHM SHEEI 2 OF 6 PMENTEB FEB 2 6 I974 sum 9 or 5PMENTED FEB 2 81974 SHEET 6 0F 6 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modernbusiness methods and procedures, in order to provide a more efficientand rapid method and means for handling individual printed items,utilize socalled continuous forms. The continuous form is variouslydefined but, for example, may be a series of items which are separatedby lines of weakening,'such as perforations; and .generally the formsare provided with advancing and guiding means'usually in the form ofparallel rows of sprocket holes engageable with the verticallyprojecting pins of a pin feed tractor, for example.

Such items may also be produced in a continuous, nonperforated form;fan-folded back and forth; or may be rolled items or sheets. Such itemsare then divided into individual item sheets or documents by means of acutter penetrator mechanism.

Usually, and for the most part, the known bursting devices employ pairsof rollers operable in surface contact and disposed in the pathway ofthe advancing items. Such rollers are generally arranged in separatedsets or pairs in such manner that the speed differential between sets orpairs and the fact that the item is gripped between one pair or setcauses the items to become stretched therebetween, A stress raisingelement, e.g., breaker bar is projected into the 'weakenedarea of theitem, causing the individual item to be stripped or burst apart from thecontinuous series of forms.

While all such bursting devices operate reasonably satisfactorily, thereis a noticeable high degree of noise involved. Also, accuracy of controlof separation may be relatively difficult to obtain and maintain becauseof .the lack of positive and precise contact engagement of the rollerswith the document to be burst. All of such devices arecharacteristically weighty, suffer from noticeably high inertia problemsdue to the large moving masses and the speeds involved. Additionally,such apparatusrequires supervision and interplay between operator andmachine ifthe form size varies since in many cases the position of ordistance between the bursting rollers must be altered to accommodate thechange in the form size or length.

Many prior art bursting devices suffer from one or more of the followingproblems in varying degrees of severity: bending, wrinkling or spindlingof the items due mainly to the items entering the bight of the burstingrollers in the wrong,manner; irregular bursting or ripping of the itemson an area other than along the preweakened perforations;'p.uncture typedamage due in large measure to the type of penetrator employed;blurring. of carbon image on multiply items due to excessive pressurebuild-up between snap or bursting rollers. 1

Many prior art burster constructions require some sort of cutter bar,blade, wheel, roller or other severing mechanism in addition to the holdand feed rollers in order to separate or burst the forms or items apart.Such equipment is costly to tool up and maintain, is noisy, and must berenewed at periodic intervals due to wear and lubrication requirements.

Such prior art bursters as are generally available must be able toaccommodate many size document lengths and widths necessitating operatorintervention to change rollers, belts or pulleys, etc. Also, because allsuch known devices utilizesets or pairs of rollers operating atdifferent relative speeds to hold and burst the form apart, theapparatus tends to become excessively large or long or both and thusrequires an undue amount of space which oftentimes cannot beconveniently provided in modern offices, laboratories, etc.

The present invention contemplates, but is obviously not limited to, theuse of documents varying in length from 2 5/6 inches to 24 inches and inwidth between 6 inches and 20 inches. The paper'oritem thicknesscan varyfrom single ply item onion skin or thinner paper to as many as eight ormore ply multipart "forms.

So as to enable the present invention to be utilized with other anddifferent cooperating devices such as check or item signers, checkprotectors, 'decollators, stackers, slitters, 'etc., the apparatus isconstructed in a modular format. The main operational elements of thecombination are demountably housed within and operably associated with abase supporting structure enabling efficient, quick, and easymaintenance and avoiding the requirement for highly skilled on-siteoperator service personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes thedifficulties of the prior art and provides a neater, cleaner, quiter,smaller and much more efficiently operating burstingseparating apparatusby utilizing anovel and heretofore unknown combination of elements whichenable the apparatus to accommodate itself to varying sizes and plies orthicknesses of documents without the need for operator intervention tochange or alter the arrangement of the basic bursting mechanism itself.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided upper fixed and alower movable deformable members. These members are constructed so as toprovide opposite, confronting, facing surfaces and are arranged tostraddle a web of continuous item forms, e .g., checks which may be fedlongitudinally through the apparatus from a supply bin or roll, etc.

The two members are adapted to be brought into surface contact with theweb therebetween' and (by means of suitable timing devices) into contactwith the line of weakening, e.g., perforations approximately centrallylocated relative to the transverse dimension of the two deformablemembers. As the two members contact the web, they grip the continuousform item or item stack, as the case may be, tightly therebetween.Continued movement of the two members towards each other I causes theadjacent items to be stretched apart at the line of weakening,effectively bursting the leading item from the next or trailing item;Thereafter the burst item or items are moved athi'gh speed out of thebursting area onto a sh'ingling table or into a stacking hopper asdesired.

In another embodiment of-the invention the upper deformable members arecaused to be brought into engagement with one another at a slight butpredetermined or known angle so that one edge of the upper 3 and lowermembers meet at the line of weakening between items before the remainingportion of the deformable members meet, thus causing the items first tobe clamped together and then burst and separated starting at one edgeportion. Thereafter continued movement of the deformable members towardone another causes the line of bursting to travel transversely acrossthe line of weakening in the item, effectively severing and separatingthe leading from the trailing items.

In a still further embodiment of the invention the two deformablemembers, hereinafter referred to as hold feet simply to characterizetheir functional operation without limiting the inventive concept, maybe molded into substantially a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration.The members are adapted to span the transverse or width dimension of theapparatus and can, for example, be of polyurethane or synthetic rubber,etc., having inherently high resistance to abrasion and not being tooreadily deformed or resilient, e.g., in a range of from 40 to 90durometer (Shore A Scale). A central triangularly shaped weightrelieving cutout extends transversely the length of each member andprovides-a web portion at the cross bar of the T-formation thereof whichacts to prevent jamming of the paper items. The hold feet members couldof course be of solid construction providing a suitable shape orconfiguration for causing the clamping and separating action heretoforedescribed is utilized.

The upper hold foot is arranged within a rigid support member extendingfrom side to side of the burster apparatus; while the lower hold footmember, having in one embodiment a longitudinally extending,substantially rectangular cutout portion thereon, is disposed in atransverse, vertically, reciprocably movable member. The lower portionof this latter member includes means engageable a driving mechanism suchas pairs of actu' ating cams or eccentric members, the latter beingdisposed on opposite sides of the burster mechanism. Extending throughthe central aperture or cut out portion ofthe lower hold foot is avertically, reciprocably movable, bar-like member, hereinafter referredto as a penetrator. By means of oppositely disposed cams or eccentrics,located between the bursting can mechanism on each side of the bursterapparatus,- the penetrator member is caused to be projected vertically,upwardly into contact with the web of the lower hold foot member.Continued movement of the cams causes the penetrator to move the lowerhold foot into gripping and stretching engagement with the upper holdfoot with the item disposed therebetween. As the cam continues itsrotation, the penetrator is forced into the area of the line ofweakening between adjacent items effectively exceeding the elasticlimits of the weakened portion of the items and burstingthe items apart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, both as to itsorganization and method of operation, together with other and furtheradvan-- tages thereof, will be best understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an idealized side elevational 'view of a burster apparatusembodying the present invention illustrating the general arrangement ofthe item pathway from supply bin to burst item receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the burster apparatus of FIG. 1 showing thecontinuous form items in conjunction with the item moving and stackingmeans;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the bursting mechanism of theinvention illustrating the arrangement of the upper and lower hold feetof the apparatus in operable association with the driving meanstherefor;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the penetrator mechanismfor one embodiment of the invention and including the driving meansoperably associated therewith;

FIG. 5 is a detailed close-up view of the bursting and drive mechanismof the invention and illustrating a portion of the tractor feed and theitem stacking roller arrangement;

FIGS. 6 through 8 inclusive are detail views of the operational sequenceof the burster apparatus illustrating three different actions thereofviz; clamping FIG. 6; penetrating FIG. 7 and bursting and separating;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 but illustratinga further embodiment of the invention wherein only the upper and lowerhold feet assemblies are utilized to burst the continuous form items; 1FIG. 10 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating a stillfurther embodiment of the invention wherein the angular relationshipbetween the upper DETAILED DESCRIPTION-OF THE INVENTION Referring toFIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown an idealized assembly view of ahigh speed continuous form item bursting apparatus 10. The burster 10may be part of a modularized signer-protector-burster apparatus, whichapparatus is designed to include a number of features not hereindescribed in detail but which enable the. apparatus to perform other andadditional functions to that of paper separating and bursting as setforth in more detail and particularity in copending United States PatentApplication Ser. No. 249,341. A bursting mechanism 12 as hereinafterdescribed in detail is or may be disposed centrally. of the main machineassembly 10, as shown. An item moving device such as a pin feed tractormechanism 14 is driven by electric motor 16 through a belt 18 and pinwheel pulleys 20.

.The pin feed tractor includes a movable pin mechanism 22 provided withprojecting conically shaped pins 24.

Pins 24 are engageable with line holes or perforations 26 located onopposite, parallel edges of continuous item forms 28 as seen moreclearly in FIG. 2. Item forms 28 are generally, although notnecessarily, manifolded as shown at 30, FIG. 1, and may be fedvertically, upwardly from supply bin 32 by the pins of feed tractor 14.In the present arrangement, as a result of the novel construction to bedescribed presently, items varying in width from 2 5/6 inches to 24inches may be accommodated without alteration of the bursting mechanism12.

As seen in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the continuous forms 28 areadaptedto-be fed 'slantingly, vertically,

upwardly over smoothing and retarding means such as the arcuately curvedguiding member 34 under a smoothing brush assembly 36 into feed area 38.lndividualpin feed tractors 14 are arranged on opposite sides of theapparatus, and each tractor is adapted for horizontal, slidable movementtoward and away from the other such mechanism along a helically threadedmember (not shown), permitting the tractors 14 to be operator-adjustedfor varying documents or item width.

The continuous form item 28 is then fed by the tractors 14 into thebursting mechanism 12, to be described in detail shortly, andtherebeyond into the bight of upper and lower ejection rollers '40 and42, respectively. Ejection roller 42 as seen in FIG. 2 is in thisembodiment of the invention a single, rubber tired, continuouslyrotatable high speed roller extending across the width of the apparatusand rotatable by means of motor 44. R01- lers 40, having resilientperipheral portions, are spring biased so as to be engageable with thecontinuously rotating surface of roller 42 and are disposed along shaft46. The individually burst item hereinafter identified at 48 onceseparated from the continuous form 28 is moved at high speed leftwardlyin FIG. 1 into a stacker the otherfor further handling and processing;

The burster mechanism '12, as seen in detail in FIGS.

'5 through 8 inclusive, comprises oppositely disposed,

substantially identically shaped upper and lower elongated transverselydisposed hold foot members 52 and 54. ln cross section these two membersin this embodiment are shaped roughly in the form of an enlarged Theopposite ends of the cross bar of the T being dumbbell shaped as at 52aand 540, respectively. These members are or may be moded from anelastomer or polyurethane but in anycase are relatively rigid yetdeformable under pressure. The material should be resistant to solventsand sunlight, air and moisture and should be relatively inexpensive. Thematerial also should exhibit a high degree of abrasion resistance forthe use being described. Each hold foot member is provided with a weightrelieving, central, triangularly shaped, cut out portion 52b and 54bextending longitudinally therethrough from end to end thereof. Asearlier mentioned herein, these hold feet could be constructed of solidmaterial throughout so' long as each member exhibits an abilityhereinafter described in detail to clamp and spread or stretch the paperitem disposed therebetween for purposes of bursting as described. Thebase of such triangular portion 52b and 54b provides an integrallydisposed web portion 520 and 54c extending between the dumbbell shapedopposite ends 52a and 54a, respectively. The members 52 and 54 areadapted tobe received within supporting foot rail members 56 and 58 andto this end are provided with wedge-shaped, vertical holding portions 60and 62, respectively, receivable in correspondingly shaped channels 64and 66 in the upper and lower foot rail assemblies.

The upperfoot rail member 56-is secured at opposite sides of the mainframe 68 of the burster assembly by The upper hold foot 52 may be pressfitted into the wedge-shaped aperture 64 and/or it may be held byadhesive or bolts as desired.

As seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the lower hold foot member 54 isprovided with a substantially rectangular central cut out or aperture 74extending from the apex of the triangular opening 54b to the lowerextremity of the wedge-shaped portion 62. A vertically, slidably movablemember 76 characterized as a penetrator due to its function herein, isreciprocably receivable within the aperture 74 for purposes to beexplained in detail later on. i

The lower foot rail member 58 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed,parallel, substantially identical rigid members 58a and 58'!) extendingtransversely across the width of the burster assembly as seen in FlGS.3, 4, 9, and 10. Upper and lower separator members 78 provide an opentransverse channel between the lower foot rail members for slidable,vertical travel .hopper 50 where such items are stacked one on top of ofthe penetrator member 76 enabling the latter to be projected upwardlyinto the triangular area of the hold foot member 54 as will be presentlydescribed.

The two foot rail members 58a and 58b, together with the penetratormember 76 as seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 9, and 10, form a transverse, elongateassembly which is arranged to extend from side to side of the basemachine frame as shown. This assembly, as earlier indicated, is adaptedto be vertically, slidably movable within-the confines of the side frame68 in confronting, vertical opening 80 therein. Guide wheels 81constrain the assembly within the opening (FIGS. 9 and 10). Thisassembly is shown most clearly in FIG. 5 wherein it is depicted withoutthe supporting side frames simply to provide an uncluttered view of thepresent novel combination.

Foot rail members 58a and 58b are identically configured and, as willbecome apparent from FIGS. 3 and 9, are truss-shaped, self-supporting,rigid elements which include a number of weight-reducing cutouts 82 asshown tending to lower the overall mass of the assembly whilemaintaining relatively high rigidity thereof. The two rail members asearlier described are joined at their opposite ends by means ofseparator-spacer members 78. Each rail member is provided with alongitudinal channel 86 ofsuch configuration that whenthe two railmembers are joined together in parallel, spaced, confrontingarrangement, FIGS. 1 through 5, thedeformable hold foot member 54 withits central cutout 74 can be received and retained therebetween, e.g.,as by means of adhesive, .bolts and nuts,-or by press fitting.

The two rail members eachcarry a pair of substantially identicaldepending follower members 84 located at opposite ends thereof andreceivable in enlarged grooves 86 therein enabling the same to bevertically, slidably movable by means of follower rollers or wheels 88rotatably secured to each follower member 84. Centered between the tworail members 58a and 58b is penetrator member 76, which latter member isvertically, slidably constrained on short, horizontally extending pinsor posts 90, the latter projection between members 58a and 58b enablingthe penetrator to be slidably movable on the pins via the slots 92 inthe penetrator. Follower members 94 disposed at opposite ends ofpenetrator 76 each carry a follower roller 96 enabling the penetrator tobe elevated and lowered for purposes to be described presently. Theupper surface portion of the penetrator 76 is rounded as seen in FIGS. 1

1 through 8 inclusive and, as shown in FIG. 4, has this surfaceconfigured to provide oppositely disposed high portions 98 separated bya central low portion 100 as will become more clear hereinafter.

Disposed below the foot rail and penetrator members and located onopposite sides of the main frame assembly are two individual camclusters 102 carried by shafts 104, the latter being driven by motor 106through gears 108 and shaft 1 10. Each cam cluster 102 includes threeseparate cams as seen most clearly in FIGS. 1 and of the drawings. Cams112L and 112R, the two outermost, oppositely disposed cams, areidentical and each pair is adapted to engage its associated followerroller 88 of lower foot rail members 58a and 58b. Cam 114, the innermostof the three cams, is adapted to engage follower rollers 96 carried bypenetrator member 76. It will be immediately apparent that rotation ofthe cams in the direction of the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4 will cause thefoot rail assembly and the penetrator to move vertically upwardly anddownwardly in a precise, timed relationship as will be describedshortly.

Both of the foot rail members as well as the penetrator member arebiased in a downward direction by means of separate sets of springs 116and 118, respectively, operably associated with fixed pins 120 and 122carried respectively by the foot rail members and the penetrator as seenin FIG. 3. A box cam arrangement could also be utilized to provide thisaction. The opposite ends of the springs are attached similarly, as bypins, to the base of the main frame assembly, not shown.

As earlier described, both the upper foot rail member 56 and the lowermovable foot rail assembly 580 and 5812 are each providedwith arestricting bumper or shoulder stop 72 and 73, respectively, attached asby bolts 124, only the bolts for the lower stop being shown in FIG. 5.These stop memberslimit the travel of the hold foot members as theycontact one another in their travel into gripping engagement with theitems to be .burst and thus there is provided an automatic thoughadjustable limit upon the tension-pressure exerted upon the item at thisline of weakening, i.e., perforations between items.

The operation of the inventive combination set forth herein will now bedescribed with respect first to FIGS. 1 through 8, inclusive, of thedrawings. Continuous forms 30, fan-folded as shown in FIG. 1, are fedout of the supply receptacle 32 slantingly, upwardly across the guidemember 34 under smoothing brush 36 across the surface of the pin feedtractors into the feed area 38. The forms are adjusted with-respect tothe pin feed tractors 14 such that the line holes 26 located on oppositeparallel edges of the forms engage the upstanding pins 24 of eachtractor assembly. In this manner the forms are essentially centered withrespect to the bursting mechanism, and the leading edge thereofisdirected squarely into the bursting area of the assembly.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention isadapted to be operated in a stop-start fashion enabling accurate itemsand again the apparatus is halted. Finally the burst item is ejected bythe ejection rolls into a take-up hopper after which the machine isagain stopped. This operation is adapted to be continued for as long asdesired or until some stop signal is recognized by the apparatusabruptly halting the cycling.

Energization ofthe driving motors 16, 44, and 106 in timed sequence willcause the tractor mechanism first to feed the forms upwardly (leftwardlyin FIG. 1) into the bursting area 38. Cam cluster 102 is rotated in thedirection of the arrows shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, causing the lower footrail assembly through the medium of the cam followers attached theretoto first move vertically, upwardly from the rest position of FIG. 5 intothe position of FIG. 6 wherein it is seen that the deformable hold footmembers 52 and 54 engage and stretch the two adjacent item formstherebetween due to the outward, separating movement of the oppositedumbbellshaped end portions 52a and 54a away from one another in thedirection of the arrows 126. It is noted that this gripping, separating,stretching actionis localized and of sufficient magnitude to-preventmovement of the forms by the ejection rollers 40 and 42 which arerapidly turning in opposite directions as indicated by arrows 128. Thebottom roller 42 rotates continuously and skids. The top roller stopswhen the paper stops,

merely applying pressure to the item during bursting. Continued rotationof the cam cluster 102 causes the penetrator cam 114 to move thepenetrator 76 vertically, upwardly, forcing the upper irregular edge ofthe penetrator into the cutout portion 54b of the hold foot member 54,effectively forcing the-web 54c thereof to arcuately bow-out'or distendupwardly as seen in FIG. 7. This action forces its web against thelowermost one of the forms, compacting the forms to an extent exceedingthe elastic limit thereof along the line of weakening, i.e., theperforations between individual forms, and effectively bursting theforms apart along such perforations as shown in FIG. 8. Continuedrotation of the cam cluster retracts the lower hold foot assembly,freeing the form or form stock from between the two hold feet 52 and 54,simultaneously enabling the ejection rolls 40 and 42 to eject thenonburst form out of the bursting area at extremely high speed(leftwardly in FIGS. 5 through 8) into the receiving hopper or bin 50for further handling. This intermittent stop-start operation continuesat extremely high speed for as long as the motors may be energized andforms are desired to be separated.

In FIG. 9 is shown a further improved and preferred embodiment of theapparatus hereinbefore described. The construction of FIG. 9 is forthemost part substantially indentical to that of the apparatuspreviously described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 8, inclusive, ofthe drawings. .A notable exception is that in the constructionillustrated in FIG. 9 no penetrator member is employed. The bursting isaccomplished solely by means of the two deformable hold foot members 52and 54. The operation of the apparatus is otherwise the.

I claimed herein.

effective and efficient since without the stress raising lobes 98 on thepenetrator more drive power is available.

FIG. depicts a still further and improved modification of the embodimentof the apparatus described and illustrated in FIG. 9. It is noted thatmost, if not all, continuous forms presently in use whether fan-folded,rolled, or stacked are provided with transverse lines of weakening,e.g., perforations, etc., providing means for physically separating suchforms into individual items or item assemblies. In the embodimentshownin FIG. 10 advantage is taken of the fact that once this weakenedportion is broken, however slightly, this rupture or tear, thus started,is inclined to continue along the line of weakening with very littleadditional effort required whether by hand or by machine. By offsettingthe foot rail cams of cam set 102 (or eccentric, if used) so that therotation of one set of cams 112 slightly leads or lags the other setof'cams 112, the lower foot rail and thus the hold foot secured theretois caused to be angled slightly upwardly from the horizontal as seenmost clearly in FIG. 10. In this regard, note that on the right side ofthis drawing the two hold-feet 52 and 54 are closer together than theyare on the left side in this particular figure. In operation of thedevice as the two hold feet are brought together by virtue ofrotativemotion of the cam cluster 102, the burst starts, for example, at theright edge of the form; and as the cams continue their rotation, thehold feet are caused to grip and stretch the forms, forcing the burst tocontinue in a leftward direction until the entire line of weakening hasbeen ruptured or separated.

So as to prevent slewing of the burst item after the full burst has beenaccomplished, the ejection rolls on one side are caused to rotate at adifferential rate (as by camming or changing the speed) from those ofthe other side, effectively compensating for the skewed condition of theitem due to the burst being started at oneedge rather than completelybursting straight across the item. The end result is a clean, quicker,and more efficient burst operation than heretofore has been possible.

The present invention contemplates a number of additional and different,albeit noless useful and efficiently operable, structuralcombinations,,each slightly different from the other but each includingthe basic concepts of the invention as illustrated, described, and

' For example, FIG. 11 illustrates an arrangement in accordance with theinvention wherein a lower hold foot member 126 of resilient materialsuch, for example, as polyurethane or rubber, etc., is disposed adjacentto an upper hold foot member 128 of relatively rigid material, e.g.,aluminum. The upper hold foot member 128 is, carried by a mounting orsupporting depending from the supporting assembly as shown.

A rotatable item ejector wheel 142 carrying a resilient rim or tire 144is mountedvfor rotation in the direction of the arrow 146 adjacent tothe kicker 134. Continuous item forms 148 to be separated (provided withlines of weakening, e.g., perforations 150) are fed along a pathwayextending between the upper and lower hold foot members, and thekickerand the resilient rotatable member in the direction of arrow 152.Stop-start energization of the apparatus, e.g., by means of cams oreccentric linkage, including the upper mounting assembly 130 and thelower rotatable wheel, causes the upper assembly to move downwardlytoward the item 148, gripping the latter between the two hold feet 126and 128 while the'kicker foot, in conjunction with the drive wheel 142,the latter being rotatable asaforedescribed in the direction of thearrow 146, stretches the item therebetween. Continued movement of thesupporting assembly 130 drives the downwardly projecting end' of thepenetrator member 140 into contact with the item along the line ofweakening 150, causing the item to burst or separate at this perforationpoint, permitting the rightmost item 148a to be ejected at relativelyhigh speed rightwardly beyond the kicker and drive wheel assembly. 7 I

In FIG.- 12 is shown an arrangement wherein two oppositely disposed setsor pairsof rotatable rollers 154a and 154b and 156a and 156b carryingresilient rims 158 are disposed so as to straddle the pathway ,throughwhich continuous item forms 160, perforated as at 162, are arranged tobe driven or moved, e.g.,. as by paper drive tractors. The rollers ofthe leftward pair are arranged to rotate at a different speedslightlyslowerthan the speed of rotation of the rightward roller set. Apenetrator 164 located adjacent to and beneath the pathway of the itemsis adapted to be moved vertically,

upwardly, and downwardly in the direction of the double headed arrow 166by meansof associated mechanism not shown. The lowermost roller 154b and156b of each set of rollers, while turning in the same direction asshown .by their respective arrows 168 and 170, are arranged frovertical, upward and downward movement in the direction of the doubleheaded arrows 172. and 174.

In operation, when the lower set of rollers is driven upwardly by meansnot shown so as to contact and grip the paper item there between, thedifferential rotational speed of the two sets of rollers stretches theitem therebetween. Movements of the penetrator 164 into en- 'gagementwith the item along the line of perforations 162 causes the rightmostitem a to burst away'from the left item and to be ejected rightwardly(arrow 152) away from the right hand set of rollers.

In another variation of the foregoing construction the first roller set154a and 15411 is arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to thedirection of movement of the items 160. This latter movement iscontrolled so as to be of extremely short duration so as to avoid itemjams within the item pathway. In this manner the items are caused to bestretched between the first now stationary rollers 154a and 15% and theright hand roller set 156a and 15612, the latter turning at their normalrate. Thereafter movement of the penetrator into contact with the itemat the line of perforations snaps the leading and trailing items apart.The leading item is quickly thereafter ejected rigtwardly as before.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 13 is further exemplification of theconcept describedwith respect to FIG. 12 but differs slightly therefrom.Rack teeth 176 are provided on penetrator 180 engagable with pinionmeans 178 for driving the penetrator member 180 vertically, upwardly,and downwardly (arrow 186) into contact with the item 182 at the line ofweakening 184. Pinion gear 178 is arranged to be operably, controllablyengageable with lower rollers l54b and 15617 in such manner that therollers and the penetrator move together in the upward direction but sothat the lower rollers rotate for a short period of time oppositely fromone another. Thus in operation the rising penetrator 180 by virtue ofits concurrent movement with the lower rollers causes the item to begripped and stretched by the reverse turning rollers. As soon as thepenetrator has moved vertically a sufficient distance to cause the itemto be burst, the penetrator is moved downwardly. This motion due to theinterlocking arrangeme'nt of gearing disengages the left hand lowerroller 154 and likewise disengages the right hand roller from thepenetrator mechanism while permitting the latter roller in conjunctionwith upper roller 156a to rapidly eject the burst item in the directionof arrow 152.

An arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein the bursting mechanismcomprises an upper hold foot' member 186 which is fixed with respect toa lower movable hold foot member 188. Lower member 188 is movablevertically up and down in the direction of the double headed arrow 190.The upper hold member 186 carriestwo resilient members or tines 192arranged to depend therefrom as shown and having their outermostextremities 194 l94 slightly, arcuately bent in opposite directions awayfrom the center of the hold foot member 186. The lower hold foot member188 is provided with a triangularly shaped resilient member 196 havingtwo oppositely projecting elements or'tines l98l98 thereon, the endportion of each of which is arcuately curved and shaped as shown.

In operation with the two sets of contacting rollers 154a and 154b and1560 and l56b in motion in the direction of arrows 168 and 170 the item182 is gripped and stretched therebetween. Vertical, upward movement ofthe lower hold foot member 188 causes the tines-l98l98 ofthe V-shapedresilient element 196 to contact the depending elements 194-194 of theupper hold foot member 186, forcing the tines 198-198 to spread apart oncontact with the item. The item is thus forced against the elements194-194 of the upper hold foot member 186, stretching the itemtherebetween and causing the item to burst apart along the line ofweakening 200. The rightmost item 182a is immediately ejectedrightwardly in the direction of arrow 152.

While a particular embodiment of-the invention has been shown, it willbe understood, of course that it is not desired that the invention belimited thereto since modifications may be made, and it is, therefore,contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such' modifications asfall within the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for separating at preweakened zonestherein single-or multi-part item webs comprising:

means capable of being laterally and vertically extensible in the pathof said web for tensioning said web in the area of said preweakenedzone, and means operably associated with said tensioning means anddisplaceable relative to said tensioning means to an extent causing saidweb to exceed its 12 elastic limit thereby bursting the same at saidpreweakened zone.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said tensioning meanscomprisesv elongate, confronting members disposed normal to said itempath.

3. Apparatus for separating continuous multiple items into separate andindividual items comprising:

oppositely disposed,'relatively rigid, yet substantially deformablemembers; means providing relative movement between said deformablemembers;

means causing said items to pass between said oppositely disposedmembers so that said members grip and stretch said items; and

means operably engageable with said deformable members to cause saiditems to exceed their elastic limit effectively bursting the leadingfrom the trailing edge.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3'wherein said deformablemembers comprise elongated bodies of resilient plastic material shapedso that upon confronting contact with an item disposed therebetween saiditem is gripped and then stretched to'exceed its elastic limit snappingthe items apart.

5. Apparatus for separating continuous multiple items into separate andindividual items comprising:

oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformablemembers; means providing relative movement between said deformablemembers; I

means moving said items between said oppositely disposed members wherebysaid members are caused to grip and stretch said items,

and means operably engageable with said deformable members effective tofurther stretch said items while gripped by said deformable membersthereby exceeding the elastic limit of said items and effectivelybursting said items apart.

6 The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means engageablewith said deformable members comprises an elongate rigid member movableinto contact with one of said deformable members and causing said lattermember to distend beyond the horizontal plane of said item, burstingsaidite'ms apart.

7. Apparatus for separating multiple continuous items into separate andindividual plies comprising:

. oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformablemembers; means providing'relative movement between said deformablemembers;

means causing said items to pass between said oppositely disposedmembers so that movement of'said mal to the plane of said items andprovided with an irregular surface portion engageable with one saiddeformable member to distend the latter beyond the plane of the itembursting adjacent items apart.

9. Apparatus for severing multiple continuous item forms, one fromanother, at high speed along preweakened areas therein, permitting saidforms to be stacked in a prearranged order comprising:v

means into and through which said forms are adapted to be fed, saidmeans including oppositely disposed, resilient,

deformable members having confronting facing portions constrained byintegral web portions,

said deformable members being adapted to be reciprocably moved towardand away from one another whereby when said deformable members are insurface contact with each other saidforms are stretched therebetween toan extent sufficient to cause said forms to burst apart and separatealong said preweakened areas.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein said deformablemembers extend normal and transverse to the path of movement of saiditems and each such member includes oppositely curved radial portions ofmaterial capable when said members are brought into surface contact ofspreading apart laterally to an extent that the items gripped therebyare stretched sufficiently to be snapped apart along the line ofweakening therebetween. i

11. Apparatus for severing multiple continuous item forms. one fromanother, at high speed along preweakened areas therein, permitting saidforms to be stacked in a prearranged order comprising:

means into and through which said forms are adapted to be fed, I saidmeans including oppositely disposed resilient, deformable membershaving, confronting. facing portions constrained by. integral arcuateweb portions, t said deformable members being adapted to be moved towardand away from one another whereby when said deformable members are insurface contact in bursting engagement with said items,

13. Apparatus for completely severing multiple continuous item forms,one from another, at high speed along preweakened areas therein,permitting said forms to be stacked in a prearranged order comprising:

means into and throughwhich said forms are adapted 14 to be fed,

said means including oppositely disposed resilient,

face contact with each other the web portions are flattened so that saidforms are stretched therebetween,

and means engageable with said web portion to distort the same to anextent sufficient to cause said forms to exceed their elastic limit thusto burst apart and separate along said preweakened areas.

14. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein said deformablemembers are angularly disposedrelative to each other whereby thebursting action is started at one edge of the item and continuesthereacross as the deformable members engage each other.

.15. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein said deformablemember includes a first pair of parallel tine-like elements operablyassociated with an oppositely disposed V-shaped tine-like element, eachof said elements having arcuately curved end portions and capable whenbrought into engagement of being deflected and laterally spread apart sothat the items fed therebetween are gripped and stretched andeffectively burst apart.

16. The invention in accordance with claim 13 further including cammeans operably associated with said deformable members and beingangularly offset relative to each other whereby to cause said deformablemembers to grip, stretch and burst said item forms along a line ofweakening provided therebetween.

17. Apparatus for separating multiple items into separate and individualitems or sets of items comprising;

oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformable anddisplaceable members, of relatively thin metallic material angularlydisplaced relative to each other such that when brought into confrontingengagement they tend to spread apart laterally to grip and stretch itemstherebetween; means providing relative movement between said deformablemembers; and means causing said items to pass between said oppositelydisposed members whereby movement of the members into confrontingcontact causes the items to be gripped and stretched therebetweeneffectively bursting said items apart.

1. Apparatus for separating at preweakened zones therein singleor multi-part item webs comprising: means capable of being laterally and vertically extensible in the path of said web for tensioning said web in the area of said preweakened zone, and means operably associated with said tensioning means and displaceable relative to said tensioning means to an extent causing said web to exceed its elastic limit thereby bursting the same at said preweakened zone.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said tensioning means comprises elongate, confronting members disposed normal to said item path.
 3. Apparatus for separating continuous multiple items into separate and individual items comprising: oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformable members; means providing relative movement between said deformable members; means causing said items to pass between said oppositely disposed members so that said members grip and stretch said items; and means operably engageable with said deformable members to cause said items to exceed their elastic limit effectively bursting the leading from the trailing edge.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said deformable members comprise elongated bodies of resilient plastic material shaped so that upon confronting contact with an item disposed therebetween said item is gripped and then stretched to exceed its elastic limit snapping the items apart.
 5. Apparatus for separating continuous multiple items into separate and individual items comprising: oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformable members; means providing relative movement between said deformable members; means moving said items between said oppositely disposed members whereby said members are caused to grip and stretch said items, and means operably engageable with said deformable members effective to further stretch said items while gripped by said deformable members thereby exceeding the elastic limit of said items and effectively bursting said items apart.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means engageable with said deformable members comprises an elongate rigid member movable into contact with one of said deformable members and causing said latter member to distend beyond the horizontal plane of said item, bursting said items apart.
 7. Apparatus for separating multiple continuous items into separate and individual plies comprising: oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformable members; means providing relative movement between said deformable members; means causing said items to pass between said oppositely disposed members so that movement of said members together causes said items to be gripped and stretched, and; means operably associated with and operable in timed relation to movement of said deformable members causing said items to be further stretched exceeding the elastic limit thereof and effectively bursting said items apart.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein said last means comprises a rigid member disposed normal to the plane of said items and provided with an irregular surface portion engageable with one said deformable member to distend the latter beyond the plane of the item bursting adjacent items apart.
 9. Apparatus for severing multiple continuous item forms, one from another, at high speed along preweakened areas therein, permitting said forms to be stacked in a prearranged order comprising: means into and through which said forms are adapted to be fed, said means including oppositely disposed, resilient, deformable members having confronting facing portions constrained by integral web portions, said deformable members being adapted to be reciprocably moved toward and away from one another whereby when said deformable members are in surface contact with each other said forms are stretched therebetween to an extent sufficient to cause said forms to burst apart and separate along said preweakened areas.
 10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein said deformable members extend normal and transverse to the path of movement of said items and each such member includes oppositely curved radial portions of material capable when said members are brought into surface contact of spreading apart laterally to an extent that the items gripped thereby are stretched sufficiently to be snapped apart along the line of weakening therebetween.
 11. Apparatus for severing multiple continuous item forms, one from another, at high speed aloNg preweakened areas therein, permitting said forms to be stacked in a prearranged order comprising: means into and through which said forms are adapted to be fed, said means including oppositely disposed resilient, deformable members having confronting facing portions constrained by integral arcuate web portions, said deformable members being adapted to be moved toward and away from one another whereby when said deformable members are in surface contact with each other the web portions are flattened so that said forms are stretched therebetwen to an extent sufficient to cause said forms to burst apart and separate along said preweakened areas.
 12. The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein said deformable members each include a longitudinal outout extending from end to end thereof and providing an interconnecting web extending between oppositely curved radial portions and further including means for limiting the distention of said members when in bursting engagement with said items.
 13. Apparatus for completely severing multiple continuous item forms, one from another, at high speed along preweakened areas therein, permitting said forms to be stacked in a prearranged order comprising: means into and through which said forms are adapted to be fed, said means including oppositely disposed resilient, deformable members having confronting facing portions constrained by integral arcuate web portions, said deformable members being adapted to be reciprocally moved toward and away from one another whereby when said deformable members are in surface contact with each other the web portions are flattened so that said forms are stretched therebetween, and means engageable with said web portion to distort the same to an extent sufficient to cause said forms to exceed their elastic limit thus to burst apart and separate along said preweakened areas.
 14. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein said deformable members are angularly disposed relative to each other whereby the bursting action is started at one edge of the item and continues thereacross as the deformable members engage each other.
 15. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein said deformable member includes a first pair of parallel tine-like elements operably associated with an oppositely disposed V-shaped tine-like element, each of said elements having arcuately curved end portions and capable when brought into engagement of being deflected and laterally spread apart so that the items fed therebetween are gripped and stretched and effectively burst apart.
 16. The invention in accordance with claim 13 further including cam means operably associated with said deformable members and being angularly offset relative to each other whereby to cause said deformable members to grip, stretch and burst said item forms along a line of weakening provided therebetween.
 17. Apparatus for separating multiple items into separate and individual items or sets of items comprising; oppositely disposed, relatively rigid, yet substantially deformable and displaceable members, of relatively thin metallic material angularly displaced relative to each other such that when brought into confronting engagement they tend to spread apart laterally to grip and stretch items therebetween; means providing relative movement between said deformable members; and means causing said items to pass between said oppositely disposed members whereby movement of the members into confronting contact causes the items to be gripped and stretched therebetween effectively bursting said items apart. 